Russian Heavy Bombers Deployed Against Targets in Syria

Long-range strategic bombers from Russia struck Islamic State targets yesterday. The bombers struck targets inside Syria with bombs and cruise missiles. Some of the planes, mainstays of Russia's nuclear forces, were used for the first time in combat.

In the first phase of the operation, fourteen Tu-22M3 (NATO cod name: "Backfire") bombers dropped unguided gravity bombs on targets in Raqqa and Deir Ezzor. The Backfires flew from Modzok Air Base in southern Russia, just 600 miles north.

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An aging relic of the Cold War, the Backfire is a swing-wing supersonic bomber capable of carrying more than 25 tons of conventional bombs. The bomber was previously used in combat over Afghanistan, Chechnya, and Georgia.

In the second phase, six Tu-160 "Blackjack" and six Tu-95MS "Bear" bombers launched a total of 34 cruise missiles against Islamic State targets. All twelve planes flew from Engels Air Base, near Saratov, Russia. This was the combat debut of both planes.

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The Tu-160, nicknamed the "White Swan" due to its graceful profile and white paint scheme, was originally meant to replace the Blackjack in service. Resembling the American B-1 bomber, it was also designed to fly low and fast on nuclear penetration missions.

The Tu-95MS bomber is the oldest of all, a lumbering design that uses four enormous turboprop engines with contra-rotating propellers. Capable of flying tremendous distances, the Bear was redesigned to attack targets from a distance with long-range cruise missiles.

The bomber forces were accompanied by four Su-27SM3 fighter escorts. According to Russian state media, Su-34 strike fighters were also present, but their role is unknown. A twin-seat light bomber, the Su-34 also does electronic warfare, jamming enemy defenses to allow the bombers to operate. The Su-34 could have also conducted bomb-damage assessment of the targets.

According to Russian state media, there were fourteen targets in the vicinty of Raqqa and Deir Ezzor. The targets included command posts, munition, and supply depots. The Russian government warned the U.S.-led anti-ISIS coalition of the strikes ahead of time.

A news report from Russia Today has video footage of the bomber strike force. Note that the Su-27 fighters are escorting the Backfire bombers. While the Blackjack and Bear bombers likely launched their cruise missiles hundreds of miles from the target, the Backfire must be over the target to drop gravity bombs and needed to penetrate Syrian airspace.

Russia Today has a report from Russia's "war room" coordinating the attacks (credit to the Russian Strategic Nuclear Forces blog)